Sunrise co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch: ‘What I’ve learnt in 13 years behind the desk’

EXCLUSIVE: AFTER 13 years in the game, Sunrise co-host David Koch reveals 11 big life lessons he’s learned while behind the desk.

13 YEARS in the game and self-anointed finance nerd David Koch still loves his role as co-host of the country’s top rating breakfast show, Sunrise.

Aside from setting news agendas, working hard to make a difference and “owning” being a dork, personal hygiene is a major daily priority.

As the end of 2014 approaches, Kochie shares with news.com.au what it is really like to be in the Sunrise chair ...

“Co-hosting Sunrise for so many years has been both a privilege and a life changing experience for an old bugger like me. I love it. There is a bit of magic there which very few people get to experience,” he says.

“What other job can make you smile, inspire you, provide adventure and introduce you to some pretty amazing people? It has been a remarkable opportunity for which I’m incredibly grateful.

I’m always learning and have learnt so much over my time at Sunrise. These are my biggest lessons.”

Samantha Armytage and David Koch at the Sunrise desk in Martin Place, Sydney.

1) YOU can make a difference.

It’s what I love about Sunrise, we can make a difference. It is a special privilege to host the program and I’ve always felt it would be wasting that privilege it we didn’t use that position to help others.

It’s part of Sunrise’s DNA to help where we can. Edwina’s wonderful support of Buy A Bale to help drought stricken farmers and her current calendar of volunteer fire fighters to raise money for the Red Cross. Sam’s support of Soldier On to help injured war veterans. Berett’s amazing Tour de Cure to raise money for cancer research.

I’m particularly proud of Sunrise’s role in helping establish the Organ and Tissue Authority (of which I’m chairman of the Advisory Board) to reform and improve Australia’s organ transplant system. Plus the assistance we could provide Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets in developing the Koch Centre For Youth at Macquarie Fields in western Sydney.

There have been so many Sunrise campaigns and community projects over the years and each one has been special.

Sunrise weather presenter Edwina Bartholomew in Alice Springs.

2) Get used to foot in mouth disease.

“How are you feeling?” the stupidest question you could ask Cadel Evans after he’d won the Tour de France. His expression told it all.

“Maybe we can hook up in LA.” To Teri Hatcher from Desperate Housewives not realising the term “hook up” had a different meaning in the US. She had a horrified look on her face.

3) When talking about family be wary of the fallout.

I talk about Lib and the kids regularly. On one occasion I’d finished the show and there was a text message from Libby “how dare you”. I honestly had no idea what I’d said. I rang and she hung up on me. I then organised flowers to be sent and parked on the street until the delivery was made.

He said WHAT?

4) Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not and don’t be pressured to change.

Doing three hours of live television a day you can’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Viewers can see right through you. You just have to accept some people will like what you stand for, or say, while others won’t. But hopefully you can gain respect.

5) I’ve become a metrosexual … sort of.

Working closely with Sam and Nat, Beretts and I are constantly improving our understanding of what women really want from a bloke. For example, never compliment on a woman’s frock because it’s too obvious. Complimenting on the accessories is way more powerful. “Love your earrings and how they match your handbag” … shows you’ve noticed the detail.

I’ve tested it on everyone from Libby to Jen Hawkins and impresses every time.

The Sunrise team decked out in their Halloween best.

6) Sunrise’s arrival will invariably solve a problem.

Sunrise seems to have a gift of unintentionally solving big problems. Sending the weather team to the outback to show the impact of the drought … and it rains on the morning. Send Simon Reeve to Tasmania to report on a beached pod of whales … and they leave during the night.

It’s uncanny how often it happens.

7) We cover breaking news in the ‘Sunrise’ way.

Sunrise is all about informing, entertaining and connecting with its viewers. While interviewing celebrities and being inspired by others is important, it’s covering breaking news which is our core. Whether it be floods, bushfires, Beaconsfield, MH17, political leadership changes or the death of Michael Jackson, our viewers expect us to cover it better than anywhere else. But also to cover it in the Sunrise way … respectful, personal and sensitive.

Mark Berett, Samantha Armytage, David Koch, and Natalie Barr at Broadbeach.

8) Personal hygiene is critical.

I sit closer to Sam and talk longer with her than I do with Libby. So we have rules like no garlic, shower in the morning, look out for clean teeth and clear nostrils … that last one applies more to me.

9) If you’re going to be a dork go over the top.

We’re asked to do some quirky/funny/peculiar things like singing your favourite song (INXS/Midnight Oil), skits taking off other shows, dressing up for themed days like Halloween.

I’ve always had the view if you’re going to be a dork you go over the top and hopefully viewer’s smile. Going half-baked and embarrassed just becomes cringe-worthy.

Sunrise’s resident dork on Halloween.

10) The true inspirations of our community are the ones who don’t expect recognition.

To work on Sunrise you must love people and be inspired by them. I get inspired everyday but usually by average Australians doing remarkable things for others. And it’s invariably people who are seeking recognition. They are normal Aussies making a difference in their own personal and unique way.

11) Aussies are still the same as they’ve always been.

I love our viewers. They’re opinionated, they’re funny, they care, they’re loyal and we wouldn’t be who we are without them. Forget the constant outrage and political correctness of social media; it doesn’t represent what I call “normal Australia”.

So often we’ll be castigated on social media or in the media for comments we make only to find mainstream public opinion actually agrees with us. The incredible outrage over my comments asking that breastfeeding in public show respect to others is a case in point. Despite the social media and media criticism, every viewer, reader and online poll showed most Australians agreed with me.

Australians have a terrific sense of fairness, a sense of mateship and sense of humour. It is uniquely ours and long may it last.

Kochie shares with news.com.au what he learnt after 13 years in the game.

Follow Kochie on Twitter at @kochineonline